GAME NOTES
-- The Tigers are riding a seven-game winning streak, which is the longest active winning streak in the majors. They have hit .327 as a team during the streak with 47 RBIs. The starting rotation has combined for a 1.71 ERA with 44 strikeouts during the streak.

-- A win tonight will mark the 10th win in the last 11 games for the Tigers, who currently carry a five-game lead over the second-place Chicago White Sox. They have won eight of their last nine against the Astros, who own a major league-worst 10-23 record.

-- Don Kelly gets a rare start in centerfield as Austin Jackson gets gets a day off. It's the first day off for Jackson since April 22 and only his second day off this season. Kelly will bat fifth behind designated hitter Victor Martinez.

-- The Tigers have averaged 6.86 runs per game, the most in the American League, during their seven-game streak. It's their longest winning streak since a 12-game winning streak on July 26-Aug. 8. The Astros, meanwhile, have lost four in a row and six of their last seven.

-- The Tigers starting rotation currently leads the AL with a 2.69 ERA and has limited batters to a .223 average. The Tigers have received a quality start in 18 of 27 games this season.

-- Victor Martinez is riding a nine-game hitting streak. He has hit .382 (13 for 34) with three doubles, two homers and 10 RBIs during the stretch. Torii Hunter is on a 13-game hitting streak in which he has hit .421 (24 for 57) with six doubles, one homer and 10 RBIs.

-- Hunter’s streak is tied with Baltimore’s Nick Markakis for the longest active hitting streak in the American League and is tied for the third-longest hitting streak in the AL. this year. Martinez’s nine-game streak is the third-longest active streak in the AL.

TRACKING THE TIGERSPoint to ponder: What's your take on Robbie Ray's start Tuesday? Is he the real deal? Ray worked 5 1/3 solid innings of one-run ball and struck out five in his major league debut, but his success came against the Houston Astros, the worst team in baseball.

We should get a better idea of Ray's ability Sunday as he's currently listed as the starting pitcher in the series finale against the Twins at Comerica Park.